Self-adhesive hydrogel wound dressing

Abstract

An elongated, self-adhesive wound dressing is provided which includes a hydrogel layer secured to a vapor permeable bacterial barrier layer. The vapor permeable barrier layer possesses sufficient porosity such that it readily adheres to the hydrogel layer without the need for an adhesive layer. The wound dressing is adapted to be wrapped around a portion of a patient's body and secured without the use of an adhesive.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An elongated, self-adhesive wound dressing adapted to be wrapped around a portion of the patient's body so as to cover a wound, said wound dressing comprising: a hydrogel layer having first and second sides, wherein said first side is adapted to contact the skin of a patient;   a vapor permeable bacterial barrier layer having a first side and a second side, wherein said first side of said barrier layer is secured to said second side of said hydrogel layer, said barrier layer formed of a porous material having sufficient porosity such that said hydrogel layer impregnates and adheres directly to said barrier layer without the use of an adhesive.   
     
     
       2. The wound dressing of claim 1 further comprising a release liner releasably secured to said first side of said hydrogel layer for protection of said hydrogel layer prior to use. 
     
     
       3. The wound dressing of claim 1 in which said vapor permeable barrier layer comprises a foam material comprising silica and a polyolefin. 
     
     
       4. The wound dressing of claim 1 in which said vapor permeable bacterial barrier material has a porosity in the range of from about 30% to about 90%. 
     
     
       5. The wound dressing of claim 1 in which said hydrogel is substantially transparent and said vapor permeable bacterial barrier layer comprises at least one open area therein such that a wound can be viewed through said open area and said hydrogel. 
     
     
       6. The wound dressing of claim 5 including a transparent film adhered to at least a portion of said second side of said vapor permeable bacterial barrier layer such that said open area is covered by said transparent film. 
     
     
       7. The wound dressing of claim 6 in which said transparent film is secured to said vapor permeable bacterial barrier layer with a pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
       8. The wound dressing of claim 5 in which said open area comprises a window. 
     
     
       9. The wound dressing of claim 5 in which said open area comprises a gap in said barrier layer. 
     
     
       10. The wound dressing of claim 5 in which said transparent film comprises polyurethane. 
     
     
       11. A method of applying an elongated, self-adhering wound dressing to a wound comprising the steps of: providing a wound dressing having first and second ends and a center portion, said wound dressing including a hydrogel layer having first and second sides wherein said first side is adapted to contact the skin of a patient, a vapor permeable bacterial barrier layer having a first side and a second side, said second side of said hydrogel layer impregnating and adhering directly to said first side of said barrier layer without the use of an adhesive; and a release liner releasably secured to said first surface of said hydrogel layer;   peeling said release liner from said wound dressing to expose said hydrogel and placing the center portion of said wound dressing on said wound such that said exposed hydrogel contacts said wound; and   gripping the respective first and second ends of said wound dressing and wrapping said wound dressing around a portion of the patient's body such that said first surface of said hydrogel contacts and adheres to said second surface of said vapor permeable bacterial barrier layer, thereby maintaining said wound dressing in position over said wound.